Did you drive or fly to one of the cities along the route for observing total solar eclipse? Did you avoid the crowd by watching live stream for the event, or were you simply oblivious of the Total Solar Eclipse event today? There were so many people trying to reserve for flights to one of the cities along the route of total solar eclipse above that a coach plane ticket between DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) to Nashville costed $6000 last week. Hotel rooms were quickly running out that all of the hotel rooms along this route were fully booked last week that the last single room was going for $6000 for 4 nights at Oregon State University area. This is the only reason that I am reporting the event from Florida rather than Oregon State University today. The next total solar eclipse in the USA will be on April 8, 2024, only 2422 days away. The next total solar eclipse outside of the USA will be on July 2, 2019, with the path of totality running through South American countries such as Chile and Argentina, according to NASA. If you missed today’s event, perhaps you’ll be interested in one of these two future events.

Historically, some of the total solar eclipses at:

October 22, 2134 B.C.: one of the earliest recorded solar eclipse appeared in Shu Ching, an ancient Chinese book of documents. The ancient Chinese believed that a solar eclipse was the result of a large dragon eating the Sun. It was the job of two royal astronomers Hsi and Ho to predict such events so that people could prepare bows and arrows to fend off the dragon. But Hsi and Ho shirked their duties and got drunk, so they were beheaded by the emperor.

May 28, 585 B.C.: A total solar eclipse brought about an unexpected ceasefire between two warring nations, the Lydians and the Medes, fighting for control of Anatolia (modern day Turkey) for five years, according to ancient Greek historian Herodotus. During the Battle of Halys, aka Battle of the Eclipse, the sky suddenly turned dark as the sun disappeared behind the moon. Interpreting this inexplicable phenomenon as a sign that the gods wanted the conflict to end, the soldiers put down their weapon and negotiated for a truce.

29-32 A.D.: Christian gospels say the sky darkened after the crucifixion of Jesus. It is possible that the event may have coincided with a solar eclipse. Historians have tried to pinpoint the death of Jesus, using astronomical records of solar eclipse in the years 29 C.E. or 32 C.E.

May 5, 840: Louis the Pious, the third son of Charlemagne, inherited a vast empire in what is modern day France after his father died in 814. His reign was marked by dynastic crisis and rivalry between his sons. Being a deeply religious man, Louis became terrified of punishment from God after witnessing a solar eclipse. According to the legend, he died of fright shortly afterward.

May 29, 1919: Sir Arthur Eddington tested Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity during a total solar eclipse. Einstein had theorized that massive objects caused distortions in space and time. Eddington confirmed that starlight bent around the sun by measuring the position of certain stars relative to the eclipse.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s disk, as seen in this 1999 solar eclipse. Solar prominences can be seen along the limb (in red) as well as extensive coronal filaments.(Photo Attribution: I, Luc Viatour, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)

(Please click on red links & note magenta)

How many of you had “observing a Total Solar Eclipse” on your bucket list? It was in totality only within a band across the entire contiguous United States ( covering: Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina). The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was during the June 8, 1918 eclipse.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon’s apparent diameter is larger than the Sun’s, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth’s surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometers wide. This eclipse is the 22nd of the 77 members of Saros series 145, which also produced thesolar eclipse of August 11, 1999. Members of this series are increasing in duration. The longest eclipse in this series will occur on June 25, 2522 and last for 7 minutes and 12 seconds.

The total eclipse will have a magnitude of 1.0306 and will be visible from a narrow corridor through the United States. It will be first seen from land in the US shortly after 10:15 a.m. PDT at Oregon’s Pacific coast, and then it will progress eastward through Salem, OR, Casper, WY, Lincoln, NE, Kansas City, Nashville, TN, Columbia, SC, and finally Charleston, SC. Total Solar Eclipse will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. People who descend upon this “path of totality” for the big event are in for an unforgettable experience. A partial eclipse will be seen for a greater time period, beginning shortly after 9:00 a.m. PDT along the Pacific Coast of Oregon.

The August 2017 eclipse will be the first with a path of totality crossing the US’s Pacific coast and Atlantic coast since 1918. Also, its path of totality makes landfall exclusively within the United States, making it the first such eclipse since the country’s independence in 1776. (The path of totality of the eclipse of June 13, 1257, was the last to make landfall exclusively on lands currently part of the US.

If you are interested in observing this event (total Solar Eclipse), below, in italics, is excerpt from “Eye Safety During Solar Eclipses” from NASA:

The Sun can be viewed safely with the naked eye only during the few brief seconds or minutes of a total solar eclipse. Partial eclipses, annular eclipses, and the partial phases of total eclipses are never safe to watch without taking special precautions. Even when 99% of the Sun’s surface is obscured during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the remaining photospheric crescent is intensely bright and cannot be viewed safely without eye protection [Chou, 1981; Marsh, 1982]. Do not attempt to observe the partial or annular phases of any eclipse with the naked eye. Failure to use appropriate filtration may result in permanent eye damage or blindness!

Generally, the same equipment, techniques and precautions used to observe the Sun outside of eclipse are required for annular eclipses and the partial phases of total eclipses [Reynolds & Sweetsir, 1995; Pasachoff & Covington, 1993; Pasachoff & Menzel, 1992; Sherrod, 1981]. The safest and most inexpensive of these methods is by projection, in which a pinhole or small opening is used to cast the image of the Sun on a screen placed a half-meter or more beyond the opening. Projected images of the Sun may even be seen on the ground in the small openings created by interlacing fingers, or in the dappled sunlight beneath a leafy tree. Binoculars can also be used to project a magnified image of the Sun on a white card, but you must avoid the temptation of using these instruments for direct viewing.

The Sun can be viewed directly only when using filters specifically designed for this purpose. Such filters usually have a thin layer of aluminum, chromium or silver deposited on their surfaces that attenuates ultraviolet, visible, and infrared energy. One of the most widely available filters for safe solar viewing is a number 14 welder’s glass, available through welding supply outlets. More recently, aluminized mylar has become a popular, inexpensive alternative. Mylar can easily be cut with scissors and adapted to any kind of box or viewing device. A number of sources for solar filters are listed below. No filter is safe to use with any optical device (i.e. – telescope, binoculars, etc.) unless it has been specifically designed for that purpose. Experienced amateur and professional astronomers may also use one or two layers of completely exposed and fully developed black-and-white film, provided the film contains a silver emulsion. Since all developed color films lack silver, they are always unsafe for use in solar viewing.

Unsafe filters include color film, some non-silver black and white film, medical x-ray films with images on them, smoked glass, photographic neutral density filters and polarizing filters. Solar filters designed to thread into eyepieces which are often sold with inexpensive telescopes are also dangerous. They should not be used for viewing the Sun at any time since they often crack from overheating. Do not experiment with other filters unless you are certain that they are safe. Damage to the eyes comes predominantly from invisible infrared wavelengths. The fact that the Sun appears dark in a filter or that you feel no discomfort does not guarantee that your eyes are safe. Avoid all unnecessary risks. Your local planetarium or amateur astronomy club is a good source for additional information.

In spite of these precautions, the total phase (and only the total phase) of an eclipse can and should be viewed without filters. It is crucial that you know when to take off and put back on your glasses; see Eye safety during a total solar eclipse

Two spectacular events signal the boundaries of totality: appearance of the diamond effect and Baily’s beads.

Diamond Ring of the Total Solar Eclipse, last bit of corona ring and last flash of the sun give us the “diamond ring” effect (presented at WindermereSun.com , with the help of NASA)

Diamond Ring: it is a product of the final moments of the pre-totality partial phases and their post-totality resurgence.

Baily’s Beads: Sir Edmund Halley is credited with observing the first Baily’s beads during the eclipse of April 22, 1715. They were also observed by Maclaurin from Edinburgh during the annular eclipse of March 1, 1737 and by Williams from Revolutionary War America on October 27, 1780 from just outside of the totality. But it was Francis Baily’s widely disseminated description of the phenomenon during the annular eclipse of May 15, 1836, that led to their bearing his name thereafter. It was explained by Baily that shortly before second contact of a total eclipse, the opposing horns of the slender crescent sun begin to converge on one another. At the same time, the tenuous solar atmosphere becomes visible against the darkening sky, shining out around the edge of the moon where the sun has already been covered. The combination of this “ring” of light and the single brilliant “diamond” of sunlight where the horns are converging creates a most striking appearance, the diamond ring. The effect lasts for a very short time. Soon the horns of the solar crescent close completely, and the diamond ring begins to break up, to be replaced by an array of brilliant beads of sunlight caused by the sun shining through valleys and depressions on the moon’s leading limb.

Idaho

Wyoming

Casper, Wyoming – The Astronomical League, an alliance of amateur astronomy clubs, will hold its annual Astrocon conference, and there will be other public events, called Wyoming Eclipse Festival 2017.

Georgia

Rabun County, Georgia – Multiple events occur across Rabun County, including the OutASight Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party with astronomers from Georgia State University. Other events will be held at Tallulah Gorge State Park, Black Rock Mountain State Park, and other locations in the county.

Europe

In northwestern Europe, the eclipse will only be visible as a partial eclipse, in the evening or at sunset. Only Iceland, Ireland and Scotland will see the eclipse from beginning to end; in the rest of the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal, sunset will occur before the end of the eclipse. In Germany, the beginning of the eclipse will be potentially visible just at sunset only in the extreme northwest of the country. In all regions east of the orange line in the map, the eclipse will be invisible.

Dear Friends, Visitors/Viewers/Readers,

Glorious Day For Solar Cars Parade at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan SUn Nunamaker). It is Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 (Adelaide time) but Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in some parts of the world.

The Solar Car Parade of World Solar Challenge will start at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 (Adelaide time…although it is still Oct. 24, 2015 in some parts of the world), at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia. It’s a glorious day for Solar Car Parade and a glorious time for Solar Energy Future!

Below is the video of the Solar Cars that came in on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. A great big applause for all of these teams, students, and supporters for their time, energy, and effort. It’s been a great learning opportunity for all of us! More will be posted and video uploaded later.

Below is the video of all of the solar cars that participated in World Solar Challenge 2015 Solar Car Parade on Oct. 25, 2015, at the Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia:

Dear Friends, Visitors/Viewers/Readers,

(Please click on red links & note magenta)

Just a quick reminder for you all, Solar Enthusiasts, that Solar Power International 2015 will be held on September 14-17, 2015 at Anaheim, CA, at Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, at 800 W Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802, (714) 765-8950. This is an exciting time for solar industry in USA: 8 gigawatts of solar PV will be installed this year (2015), with California being in the forefront, having more installations than Australia, India, and Canada combined.

The above is the video of Rhone Resch, President & CEO of SEIA, inviting you all to attend the Solar Power International 2015. There will be more than 600 exhibitors from around the globe, 24 hours of networking, 100+ educational opportunities, hands on training labs, and solar strategy sessions for businesses. There will also be the Startup Alley at SPI2015. An example of a business/company in Startup Alley at Solar Power International 2015, below:

Dear Friends, Visitors/Viewers/Readers,

France is in favor of the Solar and Green Future (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

(Please click on red links & note magenta)

C., thank you for alerting me to the law that was recently (in March, 2015) passed by the French governing body, requiring roof tops of new French commercial buildings to be either partially covered by solar panels

Solar PV (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

or plants. This law was the product of compromise between French environmentalists and the more conservative members of the parliament. Initially, the French environmental activists wanted to make it mandatory to have all new buildings to be covered with green roofs, but the Socialist government convinced these activists to limit the scope of the law to new commercial buildings/rooftops.

Hopefully, this law will enable France to catch up to its neighbors. Solar PV capacity in France has increased much more slowly than in Germany, Spain or Italy in the past, Reuters reported in November of 2014. In June of last year, France had 5,095 megawatts of PV capacity, accounting for 1 percent of the energy consumption in the first half of 2014. Neighboring Germany had almost 37,000 MW.

Other places such as Australia, Germany, Canada, and Britain already have green roofs as part of their urban landscape. As a matter of fact, Toronto has mandatory green roofs as part of its by-laws since 1998.

This law will certainly help to reduce the energy needed due to urban heat island(especially notable during summer and winter) and rainwater retension (by reducing runoff problems). Please refer to the video below:

“This draft law is a very positive step forward and a concrete lever for greener and smarter cities,” said James Watson, CEO of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association. “There are so many unused rooftops in our cities today and solar photovoltaics is the perfect solution to make the best out of them as it can be seamlessly integrated in an urban setting.” Watson added that rooftops, large or small, represent 70 percent of the installed solar capacity in France.

“Solar electricity produced on your roof can partially or entirely instantaneously cover your own power needs,” Watson said.

In addition to cost saving, please keep in mind that in 2014, solar energy production saved about 110 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions globally.

Perhaps all governments throughout our planet should consider utilizing surface areas of the rooftops.

~have a bright and sunny day~

Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com

Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:

News on Feed-in Tariffs

Governor John de Jongh, Jr. of the Virgin Islands signed a bill enacting feed-in tariffs in the US territory on May 16, 2004. Act 7586 is a greatly watered down version of the original proposal by Senator Craig W Barshinger. The act directs the territory’s utility to set the tariffs and otherwise administer the program. The tariffs must be approved by the Public Service Commission. Unlike many recent feed-in tariff proposals in North America, the Virgin Islands act includes other renewables an[more]

Facing pressure due in large part to a pipeline of proposed PV installations and increasing electricity demand, the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) is organizing plans to raise its feed-in tariff (FiT) cap to 10 times more than the current rate.

REACH’s wrapup summary of renewable legislation that was considered by Hawaii’s state legislature during its 2014 session, including 100% RE, storage, grid modernization, net-metering, and various renewable energy tax credits.

News on Nuclear & Renewable Energy Policy

The Fukui District Court ruled Wednesday that it will not allow the restart of two reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Oi nuclear plant, now under safety examination by Japan’s top nuclear watchdog. . . It is the first time since the Fukushima nuclear crisis erupted in March 2011 that a Japanese court has ordered a power supplier not to bring a nuclear plant online.

The Danish Energy Agency has published an energy-scenario report and five sub-analyses on the energy system of the future and the challenges that need managing up to 2050 as fossil fuels are phased out and replaced with renewable energy.

News on Wind Energy

Windpower Ownership in Sweden: Business models and motives, the new book by Tore Wizelius helps English-speakers understand how Swedes have taken a sizable ownership of wind energy in spite of their government. In this, his book can serve as an inspiration to community wind advocates worldwide who face many of the same challenges faced in Sweden.[more]

News on Household-Size (Small) Wind Turbines

Evance have an innovative new windmill design 90% of the way through development and nearing the production stage, following the manufacture and supply of almost 2,000 of smaller windmills –between 10-20m tall – to Britain and locations across the globe from the USA and Madagascar over the past decade.

News on Geothermal Energy

However, developers say a lot of the uncertainty around geothermal in the U.S., and part of the reason it hasn’t grown much in recent years, is due to the unreliable nature of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

This feed-in tariff news update is made in cooperation with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The views expressed are those of Paul Gipe and are not necessarily those of ILSR.

Gathered and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your questions/comments/suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:

Nuon Solar Team celebrating their NUNA7 (Delft University of Netherlands) being in the First Place of World Solar Challenge 2013 in their “Victoria Square Fountain Substitute” at Hindmarsh Square of Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

It’s great to see that even the cloudy day such as today would not dampen the enthusiasm of Solar Enthusiasts. Upon arriving at Hindmarsh Square of Adelaide, Australia, we are greeted by the Bridgestone Mascot entertaining youngsters among the crowd. There are even bikes made available by the Adelaide City Council for general public for free rides

Free bike rental made available by Adelaide City Council for Oct. 10, 2013 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

today (Oct. 10, 2013). What tickled me the most is the Victoria Square Fountain Substitute,

Victoria Square Fountain Substitute, conjured up by the brilliant Nuon Solar Team (students who are taught to think outside of the box) (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

conjured up by Nuon Solar Team students…there is nothing that would be able to stop these students (quite capable of thinking outside of the box) from celebrating their timeless ritual of jumping into the Victoria Square Fountain. Below is the interview with Professor Wubbo Ockels and member Maarten Frijling of Nuon Solar Team of Delft Unviersity of Technology (Netherlands) after arrival of NUNA7 at the Hindmarsh Square at Adelaide, Australia (filmed by Michael Nunamaker and uploaded by Susan Sun Nunamaker):

The Timeless Ritual of Victoria Square Fountain Celebration at World Solar Challenge by the Nuon Solar Team, after NUNA7 arrived First at Hindmarsh Square in Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

There is nothing as infectious as their exuberant laughter and hopping into the Victoria Square Fountain in celebrating a successful project beautifully executed.

Every One (including the champaign) waits for the driver to ascend out of the NUNA7 so the celebration may officially begin at World Solar Challenge 2013 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

Below is the Official Announcement from World Solar Challenge 2013: FLYING DUTCH SHINE THROUGH THE CLOUDS CONTEST FOR SECOND The Nuon team from Delft University, the flying Dutch in the Netherlands claimed their title back today in the Challenger class as they crossed the finish of timing line first in the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge at 10.03 Darwin time. They took 33.05 hours to drive their car, Nuna 7, 3021 kilometres on solar power averaging a speed of 90.71 kilometres per hour. The jubilant team and support crew celebrated briefly in Angle Vale as their time was recorded before driving to the Official Finish Line in Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Square. Champagne flowed as team did not let the lack of a fountain stop them from the traditional dunking synonymous with the finish line. They’d organised their own wading pool to ensure the tradition continued. It was a close fought battle until the last 50 kilometres. The gallant team Tokai from Japan gave it all they had. The two teams shared the final checkpoint in Port Augusta just minutes apart. But as the rain came down and the clouds rolled in it became clear the Japanese team in their solar car Tokai Challenger were not going to be able to close the gap. There was drama for Team Tokai who were forced to stop and recharge. They were able to travel slowly into Angle Vale at 1.22 pm Darwin time in a time of 36.37 hours with an average speed of 82.43 kilometres per hour. Team Tokai were not able to proceed to the Official Finish line as they did not have enough solar power to travel at a safe speed in traffic. The question is now whether Team Twente from the Netherlands can reach the finish of timing and continue on to Hindmarsh Square. Stanford from the US is currently in 4th, Belgium’s Punch Powertrain is in 5th position, followed by Solar Energy Racers who are now south of Port Augusta. Australia’s team Arrow are in 7th position and are expected to cross the finish line around midday tomorrow. Onda Solare from Italy and Blue Sky Solar from Canada are also in top ten position and still proceeding on solar power. Closing the gap on the Challengers, are the Cruiser Class who left Coober Pedy this morning. Australia’s UNSW Sunswift solar sports car eVe, is now just 50 kilometres behind Team Arrow, followed by the Hochschule Bochum team from Germany and Team Eindhoven from the Netherlands. All Cruisers are expected into Adelaide tomorrow, judging will occur over the weekend. In the Adventure Class, the Aurora team from Australia continue to dominate closing on many Challenger solar cars. The stage is set for more dramas tomorrow on the final leg to Adelaide. Provisional times & updates will be available following close of day five, 5pm Darwin time.

For more photos and videos of World Solar Challenge 2013, please refer to links below:

Sunisthefuture Online Store at Zazzle
Keep in mind that the goal here at Sun Is The Future is to speed up the transition toward renewable/solar energy, for a cleaner, healthier, economically more prosperous, and safer planet earth.

~have a bright and sunny day~
gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com (please note if you do not want your email to be shared)
Homepage: http://www.sunisthefuture.net

NUNA 7 of Nuon Solar Team of Delft University of Technology(Netherlands), Leading By The End of First Day (Oct. 6, 2013) of the World Solar Challenge 2013 (solar car race) in Challenger Class (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

Below is the video of beginning of the World Solar Challenge 2013 (Oct. 6, 2013), in front of the Parliament House at Darwin, Australia.

ARROW1 of Team Arrow of Queensland University of Technology (Australia) seen on Oct. 5, 2013, after dynamic scrutineering process at Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex at Darwin, Australia (Credit sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

ARROW1 of Team Arrow of Queensland University of Technology (Australia) at starting line on Oct. 6, 2013, in front of the Parliament House of Darwin, Australia, also in fifth place of the Challenger Class by the end of the First Day of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: World Solar Challenge 2013)

PROVISIONAL RESULTS DAY 1 of World Solar Challenge 2013

Team Nuon from the Netherlands, in their solar car Nuna 7, took an early lead in the Challenger Class of the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and at the end of day one are approximately 633 kilometres south of Darwin. Just 32 kilometres behind at the Dunmarra Control Stop there is one minute separating second placed Team Twente in ‘Red Engine’ also from the Netherlands

THE RED ENGINE of University of Twente and Saxion, University of Applied Sciences-Solar Team Twente in Second Place by the End of The First Day, Oct. 6, 2013, during World Solar Challenge 2013, Challenger Class (Crdit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

and the 2011 Champion team Tokai from Japan, who as predicted, made up time early from 20th position on the starting grid.

TOKAI CHALLENGER of Tokai University (Japan)'s Tokai University Team in third place at the End of the First Day of World Solar Challenge 2013, Challenger Class (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

University of Michigan Solar Car Team’s-Generation, is in fourth place by the end of the first day.

GENERATION of University of Michigan Solar Car Team in Fourth of Challenger Class by the end of The First Day (Oct. 6, 2013) of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

approximately 10 kilometres out of Dunmarra with Australia’s Team Arrow showing they can mix it with the elite international field just behind in fifth place. In the Cruiser Class team Bochum from Germany

POWERCORE SUNCRUISER of Germany's University of Applied Sciences Bochum's Hochschule Bochum SolarCar Team in the first place of the Cruiser Class at World Solar Challenge 2013 by the end of the first day (Oct. 6, 2013) (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

is in first place approximately sixty kilometres north of Dunmarra, with team Eindhoven from the Netherlands

STELLA of Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands)'s Solar Team Eindhoven in second place for Cruiser Class by the end of the first day (Oct. 6, 2013) of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

just five kilometres behind in second place, the DAEDALUS of Minnesota Solar team from the University of Minnesota (USA) in third

DAEDALUS of University of Minnesota (USA) in third place of Cruiser Class by the end of the first day of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: World Solar Challenge 2013).

place and University of NSW Sunswift team in fourth place

SUNSWIFT of University NSW (Australia) in Fourth of Cruiser Class by the end of the first day of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

approximately 100 kilometres north of Dunmarra. Leading the Adventure Class was Australia’s team Aurora who have never missed a solar challenge; followed by IVE from Hong Kong and Antakari from Chile.

For more photos and videos of World Solar Challenge 2013, please refer to links below:

Sunisthefuture Online Store at Zazzle
Keep in mind that the goal here at Sun Is The Future is to speed up the transition toward renewable/solar energy, for a cleaner, healthier, economically more prosperous, and safer planet earth.

~have a bright and sunny day~

gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any of your comments will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com (please note if you do not want your email to be shared)

During this first half of the month of October, Sun Is The Future will be bringing you two very special events: Solar Decathlon 2013 (in Irvine, CA in USA) and World Solar Challenge 2013 (between Darwin and Adelaide, Australia).

Irvine, Calif. – Collegiate teams involving more than 1,000 students from around the world have assembled at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif., to showcase their highly energy-efficient, solar-powered houses for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013. Today’s opening ceremony kicks off the highly anticipated biennial competition that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate houses powered by the sun that are affordable, energy efficient, attractive, and easy to live in.

“These inspiring collegiate teams show our onsite visitors and online Solar Decathlon audience around the world how efficient building design and clean energy products available today can help families and businesses save money by saving energy,” said Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. “The event provides student competitors with unique real-world training to become the clean energy workforce of the future and helps ensure that our nation remains competitive in the global race for clean energy.”

In addition to educating the public about money-saving and energy-saving opportunities available today, this award-winning competition engages students from across the nation and around the world to develop the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of architects, engineers and clean energy entrepreneurs. Over the last decade, the competition has prepared approximately 17,000 students to become future innovators in clean energy technologies and efficient building designs that cut carbon pollution and help slow the effects of climate change to leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations. The Solar Decathlon also supports the Obama Administration’s goal of transitioning to a clean energy economy while saving families and businesses money.

Student teams in the 2013 competition span two continents, including teams from the United States, Canada, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Over the next 10 days, they will compete in 10 contests that gauge each house’s performance, livability, and affordability, rewarding teams that build houses with estimated costs at or below $250,000. The teams will have to perform a variety of everyday tasks, including cooking, laundry, and washing dishes, to test the livability and energy use of their houses.The winner of the overall competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Thousands are expected to visit the houses, which will be open to the public free of charge on eight days over two weekends: from Thursday, October 3, through Sunday, October 6, and again from Thursday, October 10, throughSunday, October 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PDT. Visitors are able to tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today. The overall winner will be announced on Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. This Solar Decathlon is the sixth such competition since 2002.

This year’s collegiate teams were chosen nearly two years ago through a competitive process. The selected teams and their projects represent a diverse range of design approaches, building technologies, and geographic locations, climates and regions – including urban, suburban and rural settings. They also aim to reach a broad range of target housing markets, including veterans, disaster relief, retirement, and single family. Teams have gathered their combined interdisciplinary talents to design and build the houses, as well as to raise funds, furnish and decorate the houses, and optimize the houses’ performance.

Solar Decathlon 2013 teams competing at the Orange County Great Park

· Arizona State University and The University of New Mexico

· Czech Republic (Czech Technical University)

· Kentucky/Indiana (University of Louisville, Ball State University, and University of Kentucky)

· Team Texas (The University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College)

· University of Nevada Las Vegas

· The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

· University of Southern California

· West Virginia University

For the first time, theSolar Decathlon will be hosted alongside XPO, a clean, renewable and efficient energy exposition, featuring visionary and innovative companies, products, and educational opportunities, organized bythe City of Irvine and Orange County Great Park. Through fun, interactive exhibits and activities, the XPO will provide visitors with information about the broad spectrum of energy efficiency in home design, transportation, consumer products, food production and education. Visitors will experience a 21st century festival of creativity, technology, design, and educational experiences that will inspire children and adults alike. Learn more at www.The-XPO.org.

My dear viewers/readers, it’s been a great pleasure of mine to share with you a glimpse of our future world, where people are/will be driven by their passions and optimism for our future world rather than purely for the immediate monetary rewards. Let’s applaud for those who are sweating away at Solar Decathlon 2013 (Orange County’s Great Park, CA, in USA)!

~have a bright and sunny day~

gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any of your comments will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com (please note if you do not want your email to be shared)

Now, for a look of B-7 of Canadian University of Toronto’s Blue Sky Solar Racing Team

B-7 of the Canadian Blue Sky Solar Racing Team of University of Toronto preparing for World Solar Challenge 2013 (credit: World Solar Challenge) between Darwin and Adelaide of Australia between Oct. 6-13, 2013

This is the fourth time for Blue Sky Solar Racing team to participate in the World Solar Challenge (WSC). They continue to appear in WSC not just for the ultimate challenge provided by WSC but also for the invaluable opportunity to interact with teams from across the globe, to be motivated to build a better solar car for future challenges. Blue Sky members are composed of over 30 full time students with diverse academic backgrounds;they came together to design, build, and test their new solar car, B-7, for the past 18 months. Now, I’d like to share the most recent video posted at Blue Sky Solar Racing Team Youtube Channel, showing one (Break Stoppage Test) of the many tests that the team has been running prior to its departure for the World Solar Challenge 2013 in Australia, below:

The goals for Blue Sky Solar Racing Team are stated below:

Try their best to race as fast as possible in the upcoming race (WSC2013).

Engage and learn from different teams as part of a global innovation community.

Demonstrate and showcase Canadian, and U of T innovative spirit.

Ultimately, to carry with them the experience and continue pushing boundaries and build faster, more efficient cars in the next two years!

Be one step closer to their vision of the future of sustainable transportation.

Please take advantage of the 3700 free $25 initial trials (for new users) still available at Kiva to join Sunisthefuture Team at Kiva, and activate this free $25 initial trial by lending it to an entrepreneur of your choosing, so we can combine our efforts to alleviate poverty, empower solar/renewable energy/energy efficiency/recycling entrepreneurs in USA and other countries of the planet earth! You may choose one entrepreneur to loan this free $25 initial trial to. Upon its return/refund, you may choose to relend this $25 to another entrepreneur. Please share this loan with the Sunisthefuture Team. Our team focuses our energy/loans in helping solar/renewable energy/energy efficiency/recycling entrepreneurs throughout our planet earth. So, join us!

Keep in mind that you can become a Kiva loaner/lender as well as a borrower (if you will be setting up a small business.). Kiva lends not only to developing countries but also to entrepreneurs in USA!

I’ve received some of your emails regarding questions/concerns in how to obtain funding to start a solar/renewable energy/energy efficiency small business. Here are some info/links that may be of assistance to you:

Furthermore, there are also several other avenues for finance one may consider upon starting one’s own business:

Self-financing

Loans from family and friends (agreement in writing is highly recommended)

Private stock issue

Forming partnerships (General Partnership: all partners are individually personally responsible for their debts and all partners has the power to manage the business; Limited Partnerships: only general partners have control over management, whereas limited partners are only responsible for the debts to the extent of their investment in the business and no influence in management of the business at all; Limited Liability Partnership: all partners have limited liability but all also have power to manage the business.)

Venture capital: supplied by the professional investors and given to new growing businesses with impressive business venture plans. Financing is done by third-party investors investing from the professionally managed fund (generated by managing the pooled money of others.)

Angel Investors: wealthy individuals lending his/her own personal funds to help set up a business and in return generally acquires ownership equity of the business. Now a days, multiple Angel Investors are forming Angel Groups or Angel Networks engaging them in financing small businesses to a greater extent (example: Oprah’s The Angel Network.)

Bank loans, donations, grants and subsidies are also potential sources of finance for small businesses (as seen above in various links).

Let’s speed up our ability to spread the sunshine across our planet earth by empowering solar (or other) entrepreneurs! Hurry Up, there are not that many free $25 left!

~have a bright and sunny day~

Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com

Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics: